Saving a Google Doc as a PDF is one of the most common tasks for anyone working with documents. PDFs preserve your formatting exactly as intended and can be viewed on any device without requiring Google Docs access. This guide covers all the methods available to convert your Google Docs to PDF format.
Why Save as PDF?
- Universal compatibility - PDFs can be opened on any device or operating system
- Formatting preservation - Your document looks exactly the same everywhere
- Professional sharing - PDFs are the standard for contracts, reports, and official documents
- Print-ready - PDFs maintain exact page layouts for printing
Method 1: Download as PDF (Recommended)
This is the fastest and most straightforward method for saving your Google Doc as a PDF.
- Open your document in Google Docs
- Click File in the top menu bar
- Hover over Download to expand the submenu
- Select PDF Document (.pdf)
- Your browser will automatically download the PDF to your default downloads folder
Keyboard shortcut tip: There's no direct shortcut, but you can press Alt+F (Windows) or Ctrl+Option+F (Mac) to open the File menu quickly.
Method 2: Print to PDF
This method gives you more control over the PDF output, including page range selection and scaling options.
- Open your Google Doc
- Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) to open the Print dialog
- In the Destination dropdown, select Save as PDF
- Adjust settings as needed:
- Pages - Select all pages or a specific range
- Layout - Choose portrait or landscape orientation
- Margins - Select default, minimum, or custom margins
- Scale - Adjust sizing if needed
- Click Save and choose your destination folder
Method 3: Email as PDF Attachment
Perfect when you need to send the PDF directly to someone without saving it locally first.
- Open your Google Doc
- Click File in the menu bar
- Hover over Email and select Email this file
- In the dialog box, ensure PDF is selected as the attachment format
- Enter the recipient's email address, subject line, and optional message
- Click Send
Method 4: Save as PDF on Mobile (Android & iOS)
You can also save Google Docs as PDFs from the mobile app.
For Android:
- Open the Google Docs app and your document
- Tap the three-dot menu (...) in the top right corner
- Select Share & export
- Tap Save as and choose PDF Document (.pdf)
- Select your save location (device storage or Google Drive)
For iOS (iPhone/iPad):
- Open the Google Docs app and your document
- Tap the three-dot menu (...)
- Select Share & export
- Tap Send a copy
- Choose PDF as the format
- Select how to share or save the file (Files app, email, etc.)
Method 5: Using Google Drive
If you prefer working from Google Drive rather than opening the document:
- Go to drive.google.com
- Right-click on the Google Doc you want to convert
- Select Download
- The file will automatically download as a PDF
Note: This method converts Google Docs to .docx format by default. For PDF, you'll need to open the document first and use Method 1 or 2.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
PDF shows "Blank page" at the end
This usually happens due to extra paragraph breaks or page breaks at the end of your document. Go to the end of your document and delete any extra blank lines or page breaks before exporting.
Images appear blurry in PDF
Google Docs compresses images when exporting to PDF. For higher quality images, ensure you're using high-resolution source images (at least 150 DPI for print). If image quality is critical, consider using the Print to PDF method with "Actual size" scaling.
Fonts look different in the PDF
If you're using custom or uncommon fonts, they may not embed properly in the PDF. Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, or Georgia for best compatibility. Alternatively, you can convert text to outlines using a PDF editor after export.
Related Resources
Need help with other Google Workspace tasks? Check out our related guides: